‘Bangladesh Youth COP 2023’ held in Dhaka
To empower youth to address the climate crisis and advocate for climate justice on national and global platforms, ActionAid Bangladesh and Brighters Youth Society organised "Bangladesh Youth COP 2023".
This three-day event was held from September 6 to 8 in the capital, to gear up the potential of youths in tackling the climate crisis.
On first day of the programme highlighted the role of youth-led initiatives and the pivotal Green Manifesto. It also underscored the urgency of prioritising renewable energy, establishing a loss and damage fund, said a press release.
It said, around 100 young individuals attended the programme, who raised concerns about issues such as access to safe drinking water, coastal and wetland crises, challenges in drought and flood-prone areas, and many more.
During the opening ceremony, Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, emphasised the critical connection between climate justice and sustainable development, urging that the voices and concerns of young advocates must reverberate at COP 28.
Md Al Amin, a youth climate activist, said, "Salinity is increasing day by day, which is creating a crisis for agriculture and safe water. We see a cry for clean water in coastal areas like Barguna, and Satkhira. Women and children are facing many problems. So, it's the time to take appropriate steps to prevent the climate crisis."
On the second day, participants from disaster-prone regions delved into their vulnerabilities and proposed sustainable solutions to attain climate justice.
The three-day event also organised discussions on the critical issue of loss and damage, particularly in the coastal areas, as well as on adaptation and resilience policies, the perspectives of young people in transition, and the impact of damage on children from the grassroots.
At the conclusion, the Bangladesh Youth COP 2023 committed to advocating for the Green Manifesto crafted during the event. The ultimate goal is to influence political party manifestos in upcoming elections, paving the way for a sustainable, green, and climate-friendly future.
Mattia Ventura from the Italian Embassy, Gwyn Lewis from UN Resident Coordinator's Office, Saleemul Haq, director of ICCCAD, and Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, attended the closing ceremony.
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